Important Medical Information for Applicants

Because of the nature of the countries where Peace Corps serves and the scope of medical care available
there, applicants to Peace Corps must undergo a comprehensive medical and dental assessment to determine
whether they are medically qualied to serve in the Peace Corps. Each applicant is assessed individually.

An applicant must have the physical and mental capacity, with or without medical accommodation, to perform
the essential functions of a Volunteer for a full tour of duty without unreasonable disruption due to health
concerns. If your medical history suggests the need for certain medical resources, you may be cleared only for
those countries, if any, where the required level of medical support is reasonably available. The following
information may help you to determine in advance whether your health assessment will be relatively simple or
complex.

Filling out the Health History Form accurately and completely will expedite the medical screening process.
Medical information is condential and will be sent to the Oice of Medical Services (OMS). Failure to disclose
complete information on your application can be grounds for disqualication or administrative separation
from Peace Corps.

Because of the nature of the countries where Peace Corps serves, the conditions under which Volunteers live
and work, and the scope of medical care available in those countries, Peace Corps may not be able to support
some medical conditions. Below is a list of many but not all health conditions typically not supported in
Peace Corps service.
 Health Conditions Typically Not Supported In Peace Corps Service

Medical Conditions Mental Health Conditions

Addisons Disease Generally, for Mental Health conditions, a

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) period of stability will be required after ending
Blood thinner medications (other than aspirin) counseling/therapy, and for medication
Cancer (if recent treatment or metastasis) start/stop/dosage changes
Cardiovascular conditions: endocarditis,
symptomatic coronary artery disease,
Bipolar I Disorder
symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias, recurrent
Complex mental health conditions with
thrombophlebitis, inoperable aneurysm
multiple diagnoses
Chronic conditions such as: hepatitis, iritis,
Conditions requiring daily or as needed
uveitis, glomerulonephritis, inflammatory
treatment with benzodiazepines (Xanax,
arthritis, recurrent kidney stones
Valium, Ativan and others)
Conditions requiring oral or injectable steroids
Major Depression, recurrent
or immunomodulators
Ongoing mental health conditions for which
Cystic Fibrosis
symptoms have not resolved
Chronic pain requiring regular use of narcotics
Psychosis
Dementia
Recent changes in psychotropic medications
Gastrointestinal conditions: Crohns Disease,
Recent diagnosis of: any new mental health
recurrent diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis,
condition, eating disorder, suicidal attempt
uncontrolled irritable bowel syndrome,
or ideation, self-harming behavior,
pancreatitis, esophageal varices
substance abuse or dependence
Hematological Disorders: hemophilia,
Recent mental health hospitalization
idiopathic thrombocytopenia
Resolved mental health conditions with
Muscular Dystrophy
insufficient time to assess for stability
Multiple Sclerosis with unstable signs and
Schizophrenia
symptoms
Myasthenia Gravis
Narcolepsy poorly controlled
Optic Neuritis recurrent
Osteoporosis (history of or high risk for stress
fracture)
Parkinsons Disease
Pulmonary conditions: Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema,
advanced lung scarring (fibrosis)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ventricular shunt for hydrocephalus
Other complex medical health conditions

OMS will process your medical review as follows:

We will review your HHF after you have accepted an invitation to serve.
Several medical tasks will populate in your portal at various times, requesting all exams and specialist
evaluations, if applicable.
If your medical history appears complex, we may first ask for specialist evaluations before sending you the
kit.
We will review your completed exams and other medical information.
 We will contact you if we require additional information.
We will issue either a medical clearance or a medical non-clearance.

Receipt of medical clearance is based on your medical and dental status at that time. If, after your clearance, you
become ill, undergo surgery, add to or change medications, undergo therapy or treatment, or develop any
condition for which you seek medical assistance, please notify us immediately. Any significant change in your
health may impact your medical clearance. Failure to disclose such information may seriously affect your health
overseas, as well as your status as a Peace Corps Invitee. For further information, you may call the Office of
Medical Services at 1-855-855-1961, ext. 4047, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm Monday-Friday (Eastern Time).